Flooded residents march over empty housing promises
MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela said the memorandum was shared with the City, as some demands were its responsibility
WEARING gumboots as slippers in his house is one of the steps Lonwabo Peteni of Delft takes to beat the cold and wet that confronts him in the winter season.
Peteni has lived in a shack since 2010 – a structure he said officials had told him would only be temporary until he received a house.
He was one of about 30 people who marched to the steps of the provincial legislature yesterday to hand over a memorandum of demands, of which housing topped the list.
“We have lived in these houses for the last five years after we were relocated temporarily from Tsunami informal settlement.
“We want brick houses because it’s difficult to live under these conditions, espe- cially in winter,” Peteni said.
The march was organised by Delft ward councillor Khayalethu Makeleni, who said about 500 people in Delft lived in backyards.
Provincial representative for Human Settlements Thando Mguli received the memorandum yesterday.
The department’s MEC, Bonginkosi Madikizela, said the memorandum was shared with the City, as some demands were its responsibility.
Mayco member for Human Settlements Benedicta van Minnen said she was considering the memorandum, and would respond accordingly.
Makeleni gave the department 14 days to respond.
Resident Nozipiwo Ntshotsho, from Delft South, has been living in a backyard dwelling since 1998.
At the time she moved, Ntshotsho also said she was told by officials that it was a temporary location.
“We have marched here to ask that proper houses be provided.
We do not have electricity. The rain has been pelting lately, which makes our living situation worse,” Ntshotsho said.
Last month, a group of about 100 residents from the Tsunami informal settlement marched to the provincial legislature on the same demands better housing opportunities.